Police Warn Potential Pattern in DC Trans Shootings

Following a trans woman being shot at by an unidentified suspect in Washington D.C. on Sunday, July 31, just one block from where a transgender woman was shot to death less than two weeks ago, D.C. police have said they are investigating the crimes “as a potential emerging pattern.”

“The victim was in the 6200 block of Dix Street, N.E., when a suspect approached on foot,” a police statement says in describing the shooting on Sunday. “The suspect asked for change and without waiting for a reply pulled a semi-automatic handgun and shot at the victim, without hitting the victim.”

The statement describes the suspect as a black male, 17 to 19 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds, with a dark complexion. It says detectives from the Sixth District are investigating the case.

The latest incident follows the July 20 shooting death of transgender woman Lashai Mclean, 23, who was attacked on the 6100 block of Dix Street, N.E. at about 4:30 a.m.

According to the Washington Post, Police in the Sixth District are working with the MPD’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU), as well as Transgender Health Empowerment (THE) and the Prince George’s County Police Department, to increase patrol efforts in the area.

It should be noted that neither crime has yet been classified as a hate crime, and the police have not said that there is a definite link between the two shootings. However, police have warned trans citizens not go out alone in the area after dark.

“I’m very disturbed to learn that a second transgender victim in as many weeks has been targeted with gun violence on a stretch of Dix Street” Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) is quoted as saying. “In the wake of the first incident, I expressed concern about the possibility of it being a hate crime. This second incident increases that concern.”

Bias motivated crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity have seen a sharp increase over the past few years, going from 35 in 2009 to 45 in 2010, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s 2010 report on bias-related crimes.

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As a transexual woman myself, I know how scary it can get to be out at night alone. I always try to have someone with me, but because I use public Transportation to get around this is not always possable. I make a point to be aware of everything and everybody around me when I have to be alone on the streets at night, but look out boys this girl is no easy target.

Gary S., clearly your life doesn't have to stop because of morons who hate you, because you're just so privileged. Neither should a trans woman's or any other minority's. In fact, I'm sure the person(s) who murdered these two women thought a lot like you, that it's partially the victim's responsibility to protect themselves from getting killed. And if they don't, then it's not so bad that they're dead. Quit it with the victim blaming. You're contributing to a culture that lets people murder trans women and get away with it.